Thoroughly cleaning your AirPods can help them look and function better. If your AirPods are looking like they’ve seen better days, there are a few tricks you can use to get them looking polished and new again. Once they're clean, you can routinely wipe them down so they don't get too dirty again.

Wipe down your AirPods with a microfiber cloth. Don’t use a regular cloth or rag or you could damage the polish on your AirPods.[1]XResearch source Microfiber cloths are also better at picking up small particles than regular cloths.[2]XResearch source Hold the microfiber cloth in your hand and gently bring it over the entire surface of each AirPod.

Use a cotton swab to wipe off hard-to-reach areas. Hold the cotton swab in your hand and gently rub the soft end through the small cracks and crevices on your AirPods. Carefully wipe over the speaker grills to remove any dust or wax that’s built up on them. Don’t push too hard on the speaker grills or you could damage them.[3]XResearch source

Rub away dirt and grime spots with a pencil eraser. Place the eraser on the spot you want to remove and gently rub the eraser back and forth. Once the spot is gone, wipe off any leftover eraser shavings with the microfiber cloth.[4]XResearch source

Brush the speaker grills with an anti-static brush. If you don’t have an anti-static brush, you can use the bristles on a clean, dry toothbrush instead. Use the bristles on the anti-static brush to brush away dust, dirt, or wax that’s stuck in the speaker grills. Use a gentle brushing motion so you don’t damage the grills.[5]XResearch source

Use a damp microfiber cloth as a last resort. If your AirPods haven’t been cleaned in a while, you may need to use a little bit of water to remove tough dirt and grime spots. Add a drop or two of distilled water onto a microfiber cloth so that it’s barely wet. Then, rub the damp part of the cloth over the surface of your AirPods. Don’t let the wet part of the cloth make contact with the speaker grills or moisture could get inside of them.[6]XResearch source

Use distilled water instead of tap water. Tap water has minerals that can damage the polish on your AirPods.

Wipe down your AirPods every few days with a microfiber cloth. Periodically cleaning your AirPods will stop them from collecting a lot of dust, dirt, and wax. Keep a microfiber cloth in the case with them or close nearby so it’s easy for you to wipe them down regularly. [7]XResearch source

Keep your AirPods in their case when you’re not using them. They’ll be less susceptible to getting dirty if they’re stored away. Avoid putting your AirPods in your pocket or your bag, where they’ll collect lots of dust and dirt.[8]XResearch source

If you use your AirPods at night a lot, keep their case right next to your bed.

If you like to use your AirPods on the go, carry their case with you in your bag. Just make sure it’s closed so dirt and dust particles don't get inside.

Clean your ears regularly. Not cleaning your outer ears can cause wax to build up, which can transfer onto your AirPods when you wear them. Use a cotton swab or cloth to clean the outer part of your ears. Don’t worry about cleaning out your ear canals — you just want to wipe away wax from the outer part of your ears that your AirPods sit in.[9]XResearch source

Don't share your AirPods with other people. Your friends might leave your AirPods outside of their case, which could lead to dust and dirt getting on them. Also, wax from their ears could get on your AirPods. Holding onto your AirPods will let you control how clean they stay.

If someone asks to borrow your AirPods, kindly tell them you paid a lot of money for them. Offer to let them borrow a cheaper pair of regular headphones instead.